Devara Review: NTR excels in this fictional, formulaic sea pirates story

Update: 2024-09-27 07:39 GMT
Jr NTR in Devara (Photo by arrangement)

Cast: Jr NTR, Saif Ali Khan, Janhvi Kapoor, Prakash Raj, Tom Chacko

Director: Koratala Siva
Rating: 2/5 stars
No doubt, Jr NTR showcased his fiery side again but this time shows his feat on ships and underwater. He leads a team of fisherman turned sea smugglers who hoodwink coast guards and loot containers with illegal stuff and make a living. NTR and Saif belong to the same tribe and are good friends too. When NTR and his gang are caught by the coast guard, NTR realises that what they are smuggling is against humanity. From here on, the film turns predictable and the fictional plot doesn't hold much interest or excitement except to watch NTR action episodes and few punchlines about fear and normal living by fishing. Escaping a brutal attack on him, NTR mercilessly kills his rivals and disappears from the hill town and warns that he would come back when people lose fear.
Director Koratala Siva tries to build a larger-than-life story of a fiery young protagonist and sets near a sea shore and a contrived hill tribes for his story. Without any real-life connection, the film rides on wafer-thin plot and loses steam after the second half itself. Of course, you have another NTR, son of Devara, to sustain the proceedings but him being meek and cowardly, looks more forced than real. He keeps shouting at his mother, grandmother and sister that their father (Devara) has gone and would never come back since he has a mission to complete.
Meanwhile, the village belle (Janvhvi Kappor) wants to marry a man with valour but finds younger NTR unsuitable for her. Yet, keeps following him and hoping that one day he would turn brave and powerful. In fact, Saif Ali Khan has more meat and footage in the film. He hates older NTR for his ‘morals’ and detests younger ones for being fearful. He even trains youngsters for 12 years in varied skills to make them ruthless and take on the might of invisibile Devara’ who is supposed to be protecting the seas.

The film begins with the Central Minister urging security agencies to find out two wanted criminals who have connections in overseas dons and are worried about some attack during the upcoming cricket world cup. Police officer (Ajay) begins to track down and reaches this hill town which is surrounded by seas. He gets to know about Devara who was a ferocious pirate and later reformed after getting to know about his harmful work.

Hailing from the legacy of freedom fighters and warriors, this hill tribe have become pirates and smugglers but NTR realised his folly and asked his friends to shun illegal work and begin fishing. His friend turned foe Saif Ali Khan who hates normal living, hatches a plan to kill NTR and take over people on the hill. Will younger NTR be able to stop the mighty Saif’s ruthless thugs without his father, forming the rest of the story.

After essaying the role of a tribal-guy turned warrior in ‘RRR’, the scion of Nandamuri family picks a fisherman role and does justice to his role. His younger role is a bit unconvincing and the mission is more confusing. Janhvi Kapoor's much-hyped Telugu debut is not good enough as she used glam quotient and songs. However, Sail Ali Khan impresses as a ruthless baddy and carries the film on his broad shoulders with his menacing looks and acts. Prakash Raj, Ajay and others have limited roles to play.

Anirudh Ravichander’s background score enhances the mood at times and his two songs are just ok. While cinematographer Rathnavel has more work to and captures some breathtaking action near brimming sea waters and even in underwater sequences.

Director Koratala Siva should have selected a relatable script, than a fictional and weak plot for a big hero like NTR. He just banks on NTR’s heroism and anger image and elevates it, but the emotional core among characters is missing. His concept of invisible fear would have worked better, if he had a good script on hand which is real and familiar. Hope ‘Erra Samudram” (blood thirsty sea) doesn’t sink his comeback plans.

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